Leesburg, VA - December 18, 2003 - The United States Eventing Association (USEA) shattered attendance records when 720 eventing enthusiasts made their way to Boston for the USEA Annual Meeting and Convention, sponsored by Nutrena, and held December 11-14, 2003. The former record of 487 was set at the 2001 Portland meeting.

Over the weekend the association proudly honored the recipients of its 2003 awards at the luncheon sponsored by Maui Jim Sunglasses.

The USEA Horse of the Year honors went to Windfall II owned by Dr. Timothy Holekamp of Columbia, Missouri and ridden by Darren Chiacchia of Springville, New York. This Trakehner stallion really came into his own this year. In 15 starts he earned four wins and three seconds, including a second place finish at the Foxhall Cup CCI*** this spring, and the individual gold medal at this fall's Pan American Games.

The USEA Rider of the Year for the fourth year in a row and fifth year in total was Phillip Dutton, who resides in West Grove, Pennsylvania and rides internationally for Australia. Dutton outdid himself again this year, making 124 trips around cross-country at horse trials and three-days at every level, amassing an astonishing 28 wins and 14 second place finishes. Three-day highlights included a fourth place finish at the Fair Hill CCI***, third place finish at the Radnor CCI**, a ninth place at the Rolex Kentucky CCI****, and wins at the Foxhall Cup CCI*** and Bromont CCI*. All of these accomplishments, plus countless others, gave this man a record total of 1,446 points.

Karen O'Connor is no stranger to the USEA Lady Rider of the Year, having won it now a record nine times. This spring she had two horses finish in the top ten at Kentucky, then went on this fall to finish fifth at Blenheim with Ballymar, win the Fair Hill CCI*** with Grand Slam, and earn the individual silver medal from the Pan American Championships with Joker's Wild.

Amy Smith of Dallas, Texas received this year's USEA Adult Amateur of the Year trophy. Smith had success at just about every level of competition with her two horses, Truluck and Reno Tune. Highlights included a finish at Foxhall this spring and a second at the Plantation Horse Trials and a third at the Morven Park Horse Trials this fall with Reno. She and Truluck took home fifth from the Bromont CCI* and finished the Radnor CCI** this fall.

The USEA Young Rider of the Year trophy was presented to Kristin Schmolze of Montville, New Jersey. Schmolze had a spectacular year, winning team gold and individual silver in the two-star at the North American Young Riders' Championships with Rusheen Warrior, and with Cavaldi finishing 17th at the Foxhall CCI*** this spring and then taking second at the Fair Hill CCI***.

Sportscar, owned and ridden by Gillian Clissold, took home USEA Mare of the Year honors. This tough gray mare had the best year of her career in 2003, with a win at the Over the Walls Horse Trials, a third place at the Stuart Horse Trials, and a successful finish in her first three-star at Fair Hill.

These winners as well as many others were honored at the USEA Awards Luncheon. Following is a list of the other honorees:

USEA Appreciation Awards

Governors' Cups
Recipients: Gloria Chittick
Sue Hershey
John Nunn

Gloria Chittick

The first Governors' Cup went to someone who is sadly no longer with us.

For 22 years, Gloria Chittick was the secretary of the Groton House Farm Horse Trials. For 20 of those years, Groton House ran back-to-back events, which were always oversubscribed, and it is estimated that Gloria processed in excess of 15,000 entries. She also kept the books, ordered the tents and stabling, the ribbons and prizes, got the town permits and hired the security. She manned the headquarters tent and handed out the packets. Short of building the jumps, she did just about everything.

When Gloria's health failed she made sure to bring organizer Ann Getchell and director George Murphy up to speed on how to run Groton House. Gloria died six weeks before opening day, 2001. She was a special lady, the salt of the earth, and truly the World's Greatest Event Secretary.

Nancy Drown, who volunteers at Groton House every year, was on hand with her husband Dave to accept the award in her mother's memory.

Sue Hershey is one of those best-kept secrets that any association would cherish. Current co-chair of the USEA Instructors' Certification Program with Karen O'Connor, Sue has largely been responsible for the writings to date of that curriculum. She has been and continues to be the driving force behind the ICP, pulling all the people, projects and program together and producing a very successful result.

Past Chair of the USEA Nominating committee and member of the USEA Education Committee, Sue completed her undergraduate work at Radcliff/Harvard, followed by earning a doctoral degree in psychology at the University of Pittsburgh. She taught English at Winchester-Thurston, an exclusive girls school in Pittsburgh for several years, and eventually became a college counselor at the school for several years. A few years ago Sue left the school, started her own consulting business, and also took a position at The Career Development Center in Pittsburgh, where she does grant writing for the Pittsburgh Public School system, as well as career counseling.

Growing up in the Genessee Valley, Sue hunted for many years with the Genesseo Hunt. She took a break from riding to raise a family, getting back into her own riding as her children, Lauren and Alex did. As past president of the local Western Pennsylvania CTA and a board member for several years, Sue helped to get a local event, Harrison Hills, off the ground and proved invaluable as a liaison with the county that owned the park where this event was held. She has competed several horses through the preliminary level and is now focusing more on dressage, having brought her current horse along well into 2nd level very successfully. Her dedication to the sport, her horses, her family, and the USEA is truly appreciated.

With a passion for horses, and an ability to think outside the box, John Nunn, owner of Bit of Britain and Nunn Finer Products, is a true eventing patriot. A well-known figure throughout the country, John is a major sponsor of several major three- and four-star events and over 50 horse trials in this country. He is also a longtime USEA sponsor, one of the most dedicated and generous in the history of the association, contributing to countless projects through the years, including the annual raffle at each year's convention. Not only is he an outstanding emcee for the raffle and auction, he also donates several items and gift certificates, and this year even took on the task of wrangling raffle donations from various companies and individuals. He is definitely a man who makes things happen.

Also this year John launched the "Through The Eyes Of A Nunn Finer Rider" course walk series. At more than 30 horse trials around the country, free of charge, competitors and spectators had the opportunity to walk cross-country courses with some of the top names in the sport-riders who are also sponsored by John and Nunn Finer. These riders discussed with their quite large and very enthusiastic audiences the different options and routes, course construction, and the overall importance of being safe and prepared for the given level.

Eventing is a business for John, but it is also so much more. His efforts have contributed to the sport on every level, and would not be the same without him.

Vintage Cups

Recipients: Louis D'Amanda
Margaret Korda
Kay Oppenheimer
Carol Stratton

Louis D'Amanda started riding for one reason: he is not one for standing around watching his children ride while holding their horses. Watching is not one of his strong suits and this sport looked like a blast. So, at age 40 he sat on his first horse and at 45 he rode in his first three-day. Louis is a past member of the USEA board of governors, has been instrumental in the conservation of land in the Genesee Valley, and at age 74 still foxhunts twice a week and actively competes at the novice level.

He rides like he approaches life: with the tenacity of a prize fighter, the fearlessness of a mountain climber, and the amusement of a kid at Disney World. Failure is not an option, blame is useless, and complaining is tiresome. Buck up and get on with it, and have a heck of a time while you're doing it.

A spirited and adventurous rider as a young girl in England, Margaret Korda describes herself as a "holy terror." With no formal riding education, she had joy and desire combined with natural talent and was a fearless, happy kid on horseback.

After a modeling career, Margaret rekindled her love of riding. She met her husband Michael, who was also on horseback, while hacking in Central Park. They moved to a farm near Millbrook, New York.

A lovely horse named Missouri gave Margaret her first taste of competition at horse shows, hunter trials and hunter paces. While enjoying the thrill of running and jumping cross-country, Margaret discovered the challenges of eventing. With her trademark determination, she embraced all aspects of the sport, including the part that interested her least--the dressage. Thus, the flatwork was tackled and strengthened. She was hooked and her success with Missouri spread throughout the northeast.

Her next star came in the form of an Appaloosa mare named Nebraska. Margaret was nearly unbeatable on this horse and was named Master Novice Rider Champion nationally a remarkable four years in a row, from 1996 to 1999. She continues her dominance with her new mount, the Irish-bred Dundee, earning several wins this year.

It comes as no surprise that Margaret gives back to the sport she loves, including generous sponsorship of several events in Area I. She and her husband also open their extensive cross-country training facilities at their Stone Gate Farm several times a year for clinics and schooling.

Margaret's horses live the good life and once they join her family, they have a home forever. At the competitions, her attention to detail, immaculate presentation and record of success have made her a force to be reckoned with.

From Groton House to the Southern Pines Horse Trials, it's easy to spot Larry Smith. He's the one in the ancient blue baseball cap watching hours of dressage without ever seeming bored. He's the one walking every cross-country course at all levels, whether he is riding or not. And he's the one studying show jumping round after round as he tries to understand the elusive art of seeing your spot.

When Larry is riding, there's no problem identifying him. He's the one being yelled at by a blond tyrant in the warm-up who accuses him of being on the wrong lead (he usually is) or letting his horse go off the bit. At the lunch booth, he can be found begging his friends to talk to that tyrannical coach and make her go easy on him. But he's always right back out there, a glutton for punishment, waiting for the next lesson. He's 76 years old, this tall, lanky, athletic-looking guy, has a smile as wide as can be, and the one word no one ever uses to describe him, is old. He is truly one of a kind. Very few in this sport have his drive and dedication.

And he didn't start his eventing career until the age of 69. Since then he's found his way to the winner's circle more than once, and still competes his two horses up and down the East coast. He's simply a hooked, die-hard, eventer.

Larry also restores and flies antique airplanes, shares a lot of laughs with his wonderful, eternally patient wife Elenor, and his four kids who struggle to keep up with him. He conveniently gets hard of hearing whenever someone's saying something he doesn't want to hear, and begs his horse, magically, to return to him whenever he falls off. And one of these days, he's even going to learn what lead he's on.

No two ways about it, the name Carol Stratton is synonymous with one horse crazy lady. From the little girl who relentlessly begged her mother for a pony, to the 71-year-old Senior Qualified winner at the New England Field Hunter Championships this fall at Myopia, horses have been her passion.

Carol wasn't able to wear down her mother's resolve until she was 12 and moved to Windsor, Vermont. Her partnership with her second horse, Ginga, led her to become Vermont State Champion at the Boston Garden, in 1949.

After graduating from Smith, she left for a life overseas with her husband, and expanded her riding experience in a multitude of ways. She jumped horses for the Ecuadorian army, she rode cattle ponies on the Peruvian Altiplano, learned to play polo in Nigeria, galloped Arabians at the pyramids, and evented with the Guatemalan three-day team.

When she returned to live in Vermont, she started a business called the Green Mountain Horse Exchange, where she matched deserving horses and riders to each other. It was through this business that she formed the perfect alliance with her horse, Brother.

Carol and Brother have been a team since 1987, participating in eventing and foxhunting. They won the prestigious Herd Cup at Myopia several years ago and have evented extensively in New England.

In addition to using her inexhaustible energy for her own riding, she has volunteered hundreds of hours--everything from fence judging, serving as a Trustee at GMHA, and writing articles for magazines.

Marty Simensen Memorial Trophy

The Marty Simensen Memorial Trophy was established in 1996 following the passing of a superb veterinarian and a friend to all equestrians. Marty served as the U.S. Equestrian Team's vet for over 22 years and was a beloved figure nationwide. Following his losing battle with cancer, Hilltop Farm and the Smiths of Marblehead, Massachusetts established a memorial trophy to honor others in the equine industry demonstrating Marty's same spirit. Annually, they honor an individual who has walked a path less traveled and, in doing so, has shown extraordinary kindness and generosity toward animals or humans.

This year, Hilltop Farm was delighted to honor one of eventing's favorites, John Nunn, with the Marty Simensen Memorial Trophy.

One of the most important things John does is sponsor up-and-coming riders who are earnestly seeking to achieve their dreams. He doesn't limit his sponsorships to the top stars in the event community, but also the hard working, developing adult and young riders who are on a limited budget. John opens the door, encourages them on, and sends his riders out to their first big wins.

His charity doesn't stop in the eventing world. In 1998 he was honored for his commitment to therapeutic riding programs throughout the country-and had a perpetual trophy named in his honor.

Veterinarian Kathy Anderson, a long-time associate of both Marty's and John's, said, "Marty would approve of this nomination as he worked with John at many competitions and fully appreciated John's desire to 'Make it better.' John is truly an innovative, thoughtful person with a can-do attitude." John is truly one of the few who take the time to make a difference.

Ironmaster Award for Courage and Fortitude
Recipient: Marjorie Kittredge

The Ironmaster Award was established by Neil Ayer in memory of the great horse of the same name, who was owned and ridden by his mother, Hilda Rice Ayer. Ironmaster, during his outstanding career as a hunter and competitor, became a symbol of courage and loyalty, and his fortitude earned him the love of all who came to know him. The recipient of this award is to exemplify the qualities that Ironmaster displayed during his lifetime.

The 2003 Ironmaster Award was presented to Marjorie Kittredge. After graduating from college, she immediately honored her father's belief that if you are privileged to have a good education, you are obliged to educate someone else. She became actively involved with Outward Bound, eventually serving as a trustee. In the early 1960s she developed a program to teach emotionally disabled children on horseback. This led to the 1964 founding of Windrush Farm Therapeutic Equestrian, where horses and riding are used to provide therapy for those of any age to suffer physical or psychological problems. Her courage and determination have made Windrush one of the most successful handicapped programs in the country. Not satisfied with her own 330-student program, Marge went on to establish the North American Riding for the Handicapped Association in 1969. This group has overseen the expansion of riding opportunities throughout the country so successfully that there are now over 600 centers offering riding therapy.

These accomplishments have not interfered with Marge's love of eventing. She competed at the preliminary level, and in dressage to third level. As an instructor she has sent her students off with the knowledge to perform safely and successfully throughout their eventing careers.

A cancer survivor, Marge has never allowed herself the luxury or time to worry about her own problems. She continues her active career as an "R" dressage and eventing judge, and as a member of the USEA Safety Committee.

Courage and fortitude are the foundations of Marge's life. She has "kicked on" no matter what the challenge. Her accomplishments are proof that she personifies the motto she often quotes, "Anyone can do more than they think they can."

Special Presentation

A special presentation was made to Helen Harrison Ayer for her long and vigorous support of the sport, often behind the scenes.

The ambiance and fabled hospitality of the Ledyard Farm Horse Trials were Helen's creations. She has always been a "hostess extraordinaire" to U.S. and foreign officials as well as riders who dropped into Hamilton, Massachusetts for everything from Pony Club competitions to Olympic training sessions. Her support and participation were always a great source of pride to her husband, Neil Ayer.

There is much more, however, to Helen than "standing behind her man." It is due to her strength and determination that Neil's wishes that a USEA office building be created were carried out after his death. Helen made it all happen, and today the beautiful Neil R. Ayer Headquarters stands in Leesburg, Virginia.

In recent years Helen has actively participated in the sport as the owner of a horse who has progressed to intermediate level. It is a source of great pleasure to Helen, herself an accomplished equestrian, that her daughter-in-law, Sarah Crocker Ayer, continues the family tradition by eventing.

Helen's desire to provide educational opportunities for riders at all levels led to the creation of the Ledyard Farm Clinics. Her hard work and never-wavering interest have resulted in the many training opportunities available at Ledyard Farm today.

Worth the Trust Scholarships

As we all know, owning, riding, and competing our horses requires a significant financial commitment, especially if we want to make it to the top of the game. And sometimes coming up with the funds needed to back our dreams can be quite difficult. Joan Iversen Goswell recognized this as a problem, and early last year approached the USEA with the Worth The Trust Instructional Scholarship Program.

Named for Worth the Trust, Joan's retired champion whose impressive career with Karen O'Connor included a win at the Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event in 1997, the scholarship program was designed to assist adult amateur and young adult riders in achieving their goals. The program consists of two scholarships, one for adult amateur riders, ages 26 and up, and young adult riders between the ages of 22 to 25. The funds, $2,000 and $3,000 respectively, were to be used to improve their riding skills under the tutelage of a top class eventing instructor. All funds were to be used for instructional purposes only, such as clinics, working student arrangements, or private or group instruction. Applicants were asked to submit an essay explaining the importance of the scholarship to them, how they intended to utilize the funds, and their ultimate goals. They were also required to contribute at least six hours of volunteer service to a national or local charitable organization, Pony Club, local eventing association or horse trials.

The Worth the Trust Young Adult Scholarship was awarded to Melissa Silverman of Beavercreek, Ohio. Five days after graduating from high school, Silverman began a one-year working student position. One year turned into three, during which time she found a wonderful horse and moved up the levels to advanced. She then started a young Thoroughbred, moving him up to preliminary, when he was severely injured while turned out. As a result, she was forced to leave her working student position to take care of the mounting veterinary bills. Refusing to give up, she started her own teaching business, and eventually adopted a down-on-his-luck ex-racehorse, nicknamed Idgy, that she has competed quite successfully through intermediate. With this scholarship Silverman hopes to work with a top instructor and take Idgy to his first two-star.

The Worth the Trust Adult Amateur Scholarship was awarded to Nicole Jackson of Goshen, Kentucky. Jackson recently made a career change from corporate law to becoming a public interest lawyer for the Family and Circuit Court of Kentucky. While the switch allows her to give back to the community, it also resulted in a significant cut in pay. She also volunteers her time as a lawyer for Louisville Legal Aide, which provides legal services to low-income resident. Jackson plans to use her scholarship funds to work with a top instructor so that she can reach her short-term goal of competing in her first one-star.

Grants from the Beacon Charm Fund are available through the kind generosity of Mrs. H.E.I. duPont and her daughter Sophie duPont. These grants are intended to assist talented up-and-coming riders in their international aspirations.

Jessica Moore of Millis, Massachusetts received this year's Beacon Charm grant. Moore has been competing in horse trials for 15 years, and ran in her first three-day event in 2001. Last year she was the USEA's Adult Amateur of the Year, was named Adult Amateur Rider of the Year at the preliminary and intermediate levels, and her horse, Fibber Magee, was the Intermediate Horse of the Year. This year she's had several first and second place finishes and moved up to advanced, while also finishing tenth in her first two-star. She plans to use the grant funds to run in her first three-star, campaigning both Fibber Magee and her new horse, Sea Smart.

These next two honors are new. They were established to recognize the vital role played by the groom, who works countless hours behind the scenes to make sure their charges are healthy, happy, and poised for success.

The award was initially conceived to recognize the professional grooms. However, as the nominations were received, it soon became clear that there had to be two categories, for both professionals and amateurs, to reflect the total USEA membership

The recipient of the USEA Amateur Groom of the Year award, Stephen McBroom of Floyd, Virginia, was nominated by his wife D.C., who summed his efforts best in her nomination, saying, "The health, welfare, and success of both my horses and me are his number one concern, and he thinks nothing of sacrificing his own well being to ensure that he does everything humanly possible to safeguard our ability to compete in an optimal manner. When he walks into the barn, their heads come up, their ears prick forward, and a light shines in their eyes."

The recipient of the Christine E. Stafford Professional Groom of the Year award, Emma Knight, was nominated by her employer, Julie Richards. She takes care of Julie's eight horses as well as eight driving horses. Last year Emma won the Best Turned Out Groom's Award at Blenheim, and just this fall she won the Groom's Prize at Fair Hill. As Julie explained in her nomination, "Emma is one of those rare people that is always happy in her work. She is never worried about getting the credit for her effort. Her reward is the happiness of the horse and the progression in their education. I know I am extremely lucky to have her taking care of my horses."

2003 USEA Year End Awards

Advanced Horse - Windfall/Dr. Timothy Holekamp
Advanced Adult Amateur - Amy Smith
Advanced Master Amateur - Linda Dahlgren
Advanced Adult Rider - Phillip Dutton
Advanced Young Rider - William Coleman, III

Intermediate Horse - LeSamurai/Robyn Fisher
Intermediate Adult Amateur - Charlotte Merle-Smith
Intermediate Master Adult - Oliver King
Intermediate Adult Rider - Phillip Dutton
Intermediate Young Rider - Sara Davis

Preliminary Horse - My Boy Bobby/Carl Segal
Preliminary Adult Amateur - Danielle Williams
Preliminary Master Amateur - Dawn White
Preliminary Junior Rider - Andrina Calder
Preliminary Senior Rider - Sara Cousins

Training Horse - Alongaboutdaybreak/Victoria Frey
Training Junior Rider - Kelly Pugh
Training Senior Rider - Melissa Glantz
Training Master Rider - Sheri Thornley

Novice Horse - Promise IV/Katie Slater
Novice Junior Rider - Katie Slater
Novice Senior Rider - Dawn Dascomb
Novice Master Rider - Sonny Little

In addition to honoring horses, owners and riders, the purpose of the annual meeting and convention is to give members the opportunity to sharpen their skills in order to meet the challenges of the sport. This is done in part through seminars, which featured top professionals covering topics including everything from finding the perfect event horse to training solutions from top riders.

The weekend also included an enlightening discussion on eventing's future in terms of gaining national prominence in the sports world, as well as board meetings and committee meetings of every kind. There was also lots of fun to be had, with Thursday evening's welcome reception sponsored by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Area I's Friday evening reception and silent auction at the New England Aquarium, Saturday evening's USEA raffle sponsored by Bit of Britain, and the Eventing Hall of Fame induction ceremony and gala on Saturday night.

The association also welcomed its new board members, including new president, Kingman Penniman. The new board members, and the Areas that they represent, are as follows:

Denny Emerson/Area II
Michael Dalton/Area IV
John Sheets/Area IV
Megan McGee/Area VI
Kevin Baumgardner/Area VII
Ralph Holstein/Area VIII
Bob Wilmarth/Area VIII
Hank Rothwell/Area IX
Suzanne Suster/Area X
Kingman Penniman/At-large

The following finished their terms as members of the USEA Board of Governors:

Rebecca Broussard
Robert Costello
Tandy Costello
C. Marvin Harwood
Katie Lindsay
Charles Lloyd, III
Nadeem Noon
Robert Schutt
Deborah Davis Walker
Jan Zwak

2003 statistics for the USEA are as follows:

13,773 members
38,579 starters
272 recognized events held

The USEA is a nonprofit, educational organization committed to providing eventing enthusiasts with a competitive level suited to their individual skills. By assisting and educating competitors, event organizers and officials; maintaining responsible safety standards; and registering qualified competitions and clinics, the USEA offers a strong and continuous training opportunity for an ever-expanding field of world-class competitors. Just as importantly, the USEA provides a means for all riders, regardless of age or ability, to experience the thrill of eventing.

For more information, please see the USEA website at www.useventing.com or call the USEA office at 703-779-0440.